PVDC VDC-MA
Grade · default condition
ISO 1043 PVDC · also Saran
VDC-MA = vDC/methyl-acrylate copolymer
Default barrier resin: choose for monolayer or coextruded high-barrier films and casings where melt processing is required.
Values for the VDC-MA condition
Other PVDC grades and fills
PVDC is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at PVDC.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plasticized cling/wrap film grade | Use for soft, self-clinging household and food-wrap film; lowest stiffness and lowest service temperature. | 12 | 25 | 250 | 45 Shore D |
Aqueous PVDC dispersion | Pick for water-based coating of paper, board, PET, BOPP or PVC blister film without solvent handling. | 15 | 30 | 60 | — |
VDC-MADefaultThis page VDC/methyl-acrylate copolymer | Default barrier resin: choose for monolayer or coextruded high-barrier films and casings where melt processing is required. | 18 | 34 | 80 | 65 Shore D |
Heat- and light-stabilized grade | Pick when processing residence time or outdoor exposure would otherwise cause HCl release and yellowing. | 19 | 34 | 70 | 66 Shore D |
VDC/vinyl-chloride copolymer | Use where higher Tg and solvent-solubility for lacquer coating or blister-film coating are wanted. | 25 | 40 | 50 | 70 Shore D |
VDC/acrylonitrile copolymer | Choose for solvent-borne barrier lacquers on paper, cellophane and PET where good film clarity and adhesion are needed. | 28 | 40 | 30 | 72 Shore D |
PVDC homopolymer | Pick only when maximum crystallinity/barrier is needed and processing is by solution or sintering — melt processing is impractical. | 40 | 45 | 15 | 75 Shore D |
What is PVDC VDC-MA?
PVDC VDC-MA is PVDC in the VDC-MA grade — default barrier resin: choose for monolayer or coextruded high-barrier films and casings where melt processing is required. PVDC VDC-MA has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 80% and the elastic modulus is 0.5 GPa (0.0725 Msi). PVDC VDC-MA has a density of 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -15°C (5 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.05%, better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of polymer grades
PVDC VDC-MA properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVDC VDC-MA; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PVDC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
PVDC VDC-MA has a density of 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -15°C (5 °F).
Mechanical15
PVDC VDC-MA has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 80% and the elastic modulus is 0.5 GPa (0.0725 Msi).
Thermal10
PVDC VDC-MA is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °F). It conducts heat at 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 158 µm/m·K (87.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PVDC VDC-MA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 18 kV/mm (457.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 74% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PVDC VDC-MA takes about 80 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PVDC VDC-MA's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (75/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PVDC VDC-MA
Is PVDC easy to machine?
Rarely machined; if solid stock exists use sharp tools, light cuts and air cooling — frictional heat quickly liberates HCl and discolors the part.
Can PVDC be welded?
Excellent heat sealing and impulse/RF sealing of films at 130–160 °C; solvent bonding possible with THF/MEK blends for lacquer grades.
Can PVDC be formed, bent or molded?
Very narrow melt window (160–185 °C) with short residence time; requires Hastelloy/nickel-alloy screws and dies, purge on shutdown, and low-shear coextrusion with tie layers.
What surface finishes work on PVDC?
Normally used as the barrier ply of a laminate; surface can be corona-treated for printing, but avoid amine-cured inks/adhesives and prolonged UV that dehydrochlorinate the coating.
PVDC chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| vinylidene chloride (VDC) monomer unitsmain chain; homopolymer = 100% | 80 – 96 | 90 |
| methyl acrylate / vinyl chloride / acrylcomonomer type defines commercial grade family | 4 – 20 | 10 |
| chlorine (elemental content)source of barrier and self-extinguishing behaviour | 63 – 73 | 68 |
| plasticizer (e.g. dibutyl sebacate, ATBCfilm/wrap grades only | 0 – 8 | 3 |
| heat/light stabilizer + acid scavenger +epoxidized oils, phosphites, waxes | 0.2 – 3 | 1.5 |
PVDC VDC-MA — frequently asked
What is PVDC VDC-MA used for?
PVDC VDC-MA is typically used for food packaging film, barrier coatings on PET/PP film, sausage casings, moisture/oxygen barrier layers and industrial coatings. In short: highest-barrier vinyl polymer; coating and film, not structural; very narrow melt window.
What is the yield strength of PVDC VDC-MA?
PVDC VDC-MA has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PVDC VDC-MA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades). Rarely machined; if solid stock exists use sharp tools, light cuts and air cooling — frictional heat quickly liberates HCl and discolors the part.
Can PVDC VDC-MA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent heat sealing and impulse/RF sealing of films at 130–160 °C; solvent bonding possible with THF/MEK blends for lacquer grades.
What surface finishes work on PVDC VDC-MA?
Normally used as the barrier ply of a laminate; surface can be corona-treated for printing, but avoid amine-cured inks/adhesives and prolonged UV that dehydrochlorinate the coating.
Can PVDC VDC-MA be formed, bent or molded?
Very narrow melt window (160–185 °C) with short residence time; requires Hastelloy/nickel-alloy screws and dies, purge on shutdown, and low-shear coextrusion with tie layers.
What is the maximum service temperature of PVDC VDC-MA?
PVDC VDC-MA is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 100°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PVDC VDC-MA and PVDC HOMO?
VDC-MA is the default condition — default barrier resin: choose for monolayer or coextruded high-barrier films and casings where melt processing is required. HOMO: pick only when maximum crystallinity/barrier is needed and processing is by solution or sintering — melt processing is impractical. Yield strength is 18 MPa in VDC-MA versus 40 MPa in HOMO.
Sources
- ISO 1043-1 Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — ISO (2011)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- Polymer Handbook, 4th ed. — Wiley (1999)
- SARAN barrier resins — product and processing data — Dow / SK Functional Polymer (2020)
- IXAN / DIOFAN PVDC resins and latices technical data — Solvay / Solvin (2019)
- Krehalon PVDC barrier and shrink films — Kureha (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.